It began as a bold idea, embedded in a bigger bold idea: let's start a grass roots movement here in Idaho.
Through text messages between Columbia University professor/Sandpoint grad Luke Mayville and Sandpoint book indexer Nancy Gerth, the movement received a name: Reclaim Idaho.
Together with his high school classmate and current medical student Garrett Strizich, Luke began to put the plan into action.
The plan involved three areas of focus in the Gem State: increased support for public education, protection of public lands and improving access to health care.
To launch the idea publicly, Luke called upon Sandpoint native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson to come back home from New York and speak about the importance of public education.
Marilynne quickly accepted Luke's invitation, adding that she would come to Sandpoint on her own dime. She was that impressed with Luke's vision.
So, in July she spoke to a packed house, as did Luke, who pumped up the crowd while outlining the general goals for Reclaim Idaho.
Later, Garrett's wife Emily joined the leadership team, and as the weeks and months went by, about 1,000 Idaho volunteers came on board throughout the state.
Much of this added citizen involvement in the Reclaim Idaho movement evolved through neighborhood get-togethers or in community gatherings, often inspired by the arrival the leadership team and a few friends a vintage motor home (1976), which had been spruced up, painted green with "Medicaid for Idaho" in large white letters on the side.
Twas called the Medicaid Mobile, and as it moved around the state, the vehicle transformed into a mobile petition with Idaho citizens signing its exterior.
In December, armed with a well-thought out Initiative written by a Moscow physician, the drive to collect 56,000-plus signatures in 18 districts around Idaho began.
Through snow, wind, icy conditions, rain and even sunshine, the Reclaim Idaho volunteers carried their petitions from home to home or to public gathering sites. Many citizens signed in local businesses which supported the measure.
In one case, a dedicated Coeur d'Alene volunteer noted that some signers had neglected to jot down their correct voting addresses.
So, she looked up the addresses, called 'em up, got together with them and had them sign a new petition with the correct addresses.
Petition signing is a precise business, and volunteers learned early on the absolute importance of having every i dotted and every t crossed, lest the petition become invalid.
And, so as the deadline of April 30 approached, momentum built throughout the state, even involving two gubernatorial candidates supporting the drive and collecting signatures themselves.
This week, word has spread throughout the state that Luke, Garrett, Emily and their dedicated team of 1,000 volunteers have pulled off what could easily be called "a Magnificent Idaho Miracle."
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Yesterday was celebration time in Sandpoint where early Reclaim Idaho activity first began to take shape last June. Local volunteers met at the Trinity Restaurant lawn for a group photo and then moved on to the recently restored historic 219 bar on First Avenue.
Folks walked out back where Mandala Pizza is set up, ordered some dinner and came back in for a visit and for the arrival of Luke Mayville and his wife Elena.
The speaking aspect was brief. After all, Luke told the audience this is a night for celebration.
During his brief remarks, he also informed the group that at least 60,000 registered voters have signed the Medicaid expansion petitions. AND more than 18 districts have met the minimum requirements for the measure to appear on this year's November general election ballot.
There's more work to do to ensure a convincing passage, but this definitely is celebration time, as Luke said.
It's not only a moment to celebrate the amazing outcome of this impossible dream, but it's also a time to remember and to celebrate DEMOCRACY at work.
In concluding his remarks, Luke noted that the Medicaid Initiative petition drive marks "the single biggest step forward for the health of Idaho families in 50 years," a step accomplished by really hard work throughout the state.
"We can't afford to live without democracy," Luke said last night. "The work we do together is the hard work of democracy."
So, this morning, I say "Hats off" to these inspirational visionaries who have walked the talk, to all who believed in and participated in this phenomenal grass roots movement AND especially to all who signed a petition.
Job well done, speaking of signers, a very special thank you this morning to the nice lady on Lignite Road who took time out from watching a ZAGS game to sign a petition.
You made those ladies' day, and when they told me the story about you last night, it made my day!
Happy Tuesday. Happy May Day. Hope you get to smell the flowers today!
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| Luke and Elena Mayville |
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